Police Changes Gut Narcotics Experience

By Odette Yousef

Atlanta, GA – Changes to Atlanta Police Department's Narcotics Unit could mean a weaker drug-fighting force, at least in the short term. Police Chief Richard Pennington announced yesterday that all members of the unit would be reassigned and replaced.

A list of the transfers and promotions indicates that thirteen new investigators will replace members of that unit. None of them have prior experience in narcotics. And, all of them have just been promoted, so this will be their first experience as investigators.

Sergeant Scott Kreher, head of the largest police association, is concerned about that:

KREHER: What the Chief's effectively done is wiped away the entire Narcotics Unit to where it's going to now be several months if not a year down the road before they can start really having an effect on the narcotics trade in the city.

Chief Pennington says he doesn't feel the lack of experience poses any problem. On the contrary, Pennington says it's an advantage to work with an all-new force, because they can be taught proper enforcement techniques from the beginning.